This time, Lin He planned to make more; both the soap and the zicao would take time. The soap needed a long curing period before it could be sold, and the zicao infusion would take time before the zicao ointment could be made. Producing more at once meant she could make larger batches, saving the trouble of so many trips.

Lin He paused on the idea of the scented unguent for a while, deciding to postpone its production until next month. There was still some stock left at the Cai Die Xuan that could last for a while; making it next month would still be timely. Lin He and the others labored for several days to finally produce these goods, which should last about a month's worth of sales. In the interim, they would still need to produce more to maintain stock.

On this day, everything was finished and laid out to dry in the cool shade of the backyard. The Zhou family and the Hong Yun family were also sitting at Huang Shi’s house, chatting idly. Remarkably, no one was working. Zhao Shi, who hadn't visited in a long time, showed up. Huang Shi moved a stool for her to sit down and asked with a smile, "Mother, what brings you by today?"

Zhao Shi seemed to be in a particularly good mood this time, also replying with a smile, "I had nothing to do at home alone, so I thought since your family is large, I'd come over for a chat. Seeing the third daughter-in-law and Hong Yun here, your courtyard is quite lively."

Huang Shi laughed, "That's right. Hong Yun and Third Brother's wife just finished their tasks at home and are resting here. Mother, you should visit often too. There are many children in this courtyard, making it lively."

Hong Yun chimed in, "Yes, Mother, you don't usually come here. The children are often staying here. My two kids even refuse to go home at night, saying there's more fun and better food at Second Uncle's house; they love being there."

Zhou Shi also spoke up, "It's true. Even my little Yun is the same; he doesn't want to stay at our own house, always saying he needs to run over to Sister He's place."

Sitting there, listening to their chatter, Zhao Shi smiled faintly while looking at Huang Shi. Among the households of her children, Er Niu's family was doing the best, and Huang Shi certainly deserved a good deal of the credit for that.

As they chatted, Zhou Shi asked, "Mother, Qing Shan's wife is pregnant. I heard she consulted a divine fortune-teller and it’s a boy! Big Sister-in-law must be overjoyed now. The baby must be due in a while, right?"

Zhao Shi brightened up at this, smiling as she said, "Yes, she discovered she was some time along a few days ago. I’ve been visiting often these past few days. Qing Shan's wife is struggling a lot with the baby’s movements; it must be a big, fat boy. This little fellow has quite a temper; Qing Shan's wife feels unwell all day long. Her mother-in-law tries every way to cook delicious things for her, but her appetite is fickle and she can't keep anything down. Her mother-in-law has been running around trying things these past few days."

"It’s like that during the initial pregnancy. Qing Shan’s wife is having her first child, so she’s bound to have a rough time. But Big Sister-in-law is likely thrilled about it too, isn't it all for the sake of her grandson?" Hong Yun added.

Zhao Shi looked over at Hong Yun as she spoke but didn't reply. Everyone present understood what Zhao Shi’s look implied, and they fell silent. Hong Yun subtly lowered her head.

After a long pause, Zhao Shi sighed, "Why is there still no news from you? Your Xiao Fang is already over two years old; there should be some word by now. Why haven't you conceived yet? Could there be a physical problem, Hong Yun? We’ll go into town tomorrow to see a doctor for a pulse reading and find out exactly what's going on."

Hong Yun felt her face flush, seeing her mother bring this up in front of so many people. "Mother, what are you saying? There are so many people here, why bring this up?"

Zhou Shi spoke up from the side, "Hong Yun, what is there to be embarrassed about? Everyone in this courtyard is family. Mother is right; it’s time for you to conceive. Look, Hong Xia is already pregnant! Your family's situation is much better now; it’s the perfect time to have a child."

"I know, I really do, but having a child isn't something you can just decide on," Hong Yun admitted somewhat sheepishly. "I'm a bit perplexed myself that it hasn't happened after so long."

"Hong Yun, you should still go into town with Mother and let the doctor check your pulse. If there's an illness, we'll treat it; if not, we’ll just get a couple of doses of tonic herbs, and you’re sure to conceive a big, fat boy," Huang Shi also comforted her.

Zhao Shi was happiest hearing this and said, "Yes, your two sisters-in-law are both right. Get up early tomorrow; we should go early while the town market is happening, otherwise the medical hall will be crowded later."

Hong Yun nodded; going to town for a check-up seemed fine. Huang Shi also asked them to come to her house early the next morning. Whenever the market day came, Old Man Qin always went into town, so they could hitch a ride on Old Man Qin's ox cart—it was certainly much faster than walking.

The next morning, Hong Yun brought the two small children over to Lin He's house, asking Lin He to watch them. Huang Shi went along with them into town. Lin He asked Huang Shi to go with them; Huang Shi had already said she needed to go to town to buy some food anyway, so they went together.

Since Lin He was home, the little ones weren't fussy about going along, so they felt relieved. Watching the ox cart move into the distance, Lin He silently prayed that her paternal aunt wouldn't have any underlying health issues. However, Lin He felt that logically, there shouldn't be anything wrong; she had already given birth to two children; it was just a matter of timing being off.

But these matters were completely foreign to Lin He, both in her past life and this one. She wasn't very clear on such things, so she focused on looking after the little ones at home.

Da Yuan was growing older and beginning to understand adult conversations. Seeing her mother leave for town, she asked Lin He, "Sister He, why does everyone like boys so much? Grandma is like that, and Grandma-in-law is too. When I was at home, Grandma kept saying that girls are useless, that they'll just belong to someone else’s family when they grow up. What does that mean?"

Lin He wasn't sure how to explain, so she just stroked Da Yuan's head. The child was quite perceptive; she knew her own grandmother didn't like her. She had been here a long time and had never mentioned her grandmother before; this was the first time Lin He had heard her bring it up. Just as Lin He was about to comfort her, Lin Chen spoke up, "Yes, look at our Grandpa and Grandma. They hold and kiss Xiao Bao all the time, and Grandpa always takes Xiao Bao everywhere with him, but he never takes me out to play."

Lin He was caught between laughter and tears. Such young children already knew how to complain. She tapped Lin Chen's head and said, "If others say it, you repeat it? Have your parents treated you badly at home? Have they treated Xiao Bao better? Is there anything Xiao Bao has that you don't?"

Lin Chen rolled his eyes; it seemed not. Seeing Chen’er fall silent, Lin He turned to comfort Da Yuan, "Grandma and the elders have different ways of thinking than us. We shouldn't mind what others say. You just need to be obedient and do your own tasks well. Eventually, Grandma will realize that girls are no worse than boys. Do you understand?"